The lowdown on stand-up paddling

What: The newest water leisure trend is a long-forgotten Hawaiian sport that’s been rediscovered. Stand-up paddling (SUP) or paddle surfing is just as it sounds: you stand on an oversized board, which is 3-4m long and wider and thicker than a surfboard, and propel yourself with a long paddle. While experts can ride huge waves this way, you don’t need waves at all, and beginners often prefer to paddle on the calm waters of rivers, lakes or lagoons.

Why: Celebs including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Pierce Brosnan, Cameron Diaz and Lance Armstrong are among those who have done it, attracted by the fact that it provides a total-body workout as well as lots of fun. Being higher means you can see further, and the paddle means you can cover a lot of distance, making it good for sightseeing.

Where: It moved quickly from Hawaii to California, thanks to those Hollywood names, but is now to be found as a by-the-hour and group-led holiday option at beaches around the world including in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.